India’s biggest plex to open in Mumbai in two months

To cater to Indian cinema that generates thousands of films a year, tinsel town will soon be home to the country’s largest multiplex. Located in Thane, the 14-screen theatre will commence operations in two months.

To cater to Indian cinema that generates thousands of films a year, tinsel town will soon be home to the country’s largest multiplex. Located in Thane, the 14-screen theatre will commence operations in two months. “With the amount of small-budget movies releasing these days, such a theatre will give an even platform to all films,” says Devang Sampat, head of strategies at Cinepolis, the Mexico-based multiplex company that apart from the 14-screener in Mumbai, is also opening a 15-screener in Pune. “The mall is currently being readied in Thane. We hope to launch both the properties within two months.”

These two megaplexes are the first of six being planned in India. Apart from these, Cinepolis has 16 screens in India and plans to open 50 digital ones by year-end. Apparently, the company, which is celebrating its 40th year of operations, plans to invest about Rs 130 crore in the country.

Of the 14 screens at Thane, three will be VIP screens and the rest will host regular shows. “The VIP ones will be smaller, with reclining seats and separate lounges and washrooms,” says Sampat, adding that a few more theatres are being finalised for Mumbai.

The ticket prices will be on par with other multiplexes and will change from morning to evening shows. Though Thane may not seem accessible to many of the city’s movie-watching crowd, Sampat is convinced the concept will work. “The area has major unexplored potential. The level of acceptance of varieties of cinema is also a factor, since we will be screening regional movies as well,” says Sampat, adding, “On an average if we screen six films a day, we will have 84 shows. Effectively, that means there will be six shows every hour and one, every 10 minutes.”